Sashless window



Nov. 21, 1950 E, PIERsoN 2,530,724

SASHLESS WINDOW 7&4, M 7%* ATTORNEYS Nov. 21, 1950 E. PIERsoN 2,530,724

sAsHLEss wmnow Filed Fab. 12, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 vPrg-5- k www 574 7 NWA/ Patented Nov. 2l, 1950 UNIT-ED STATES PAT-EN T OFFICE 2,530,724 vsAsHLFss WINDOW Ernest Pierson, Eureka, Calif.

Application February 12, 1946, Serial No. 647,171

5 Claims. (C1. 20452) sealing a pair of relatively slidable panes with eachother when in closed position and at the same time eliminating any chance of scratching the panes whenopening and closing the Window. The usual practice has been to provide a'sealing strip between the panes where they overlap, but as rthis strip must wipe over one or the other pane when the window is opened or closed, it quickly scratches the pane over which it wipes, and ruins the desirable clarity of the pane.

One of the principal objects of this invention is the provision of a structure whereby the panes are held tightly together in direct engagement with each other when the window is closed, thus eiecting a `tight seal, yet the adjacent sides of which panes are automatically'spaced apart upon opening the window by sliding the panes relative to each other in the frame.

In sashless windows there has heretofore been also some difficulty in keeping the panes fairly tight when the windows are closed, and also lfelt orlthe like, has vgenerally been used in the grooves that support the panes for sliding. The felt strips eventually become "packed, but in any event, add to the frictional resistance that must be=overcome in `sliding the panes.

One ofthe objects of this invention is the provision of means for tightly holding the panes of the window against rattling when the window is closed, -and also the provision of 'means for positively locking the window closed Without cutting or notchingthe Vpanes and without adding anything to them.

And another object oi' the invention is the .provision of a structure that eliminates the need for felt.

Other objects and advantages will -appear in the 'description and in the drawings.

In the drawings,

Fig. y1 is a side-elevational View illustrating the invention with the window closed, and with thev upper stop strip broken away at the upper righty hand corner to show construction behind the strip.

Fig. 2 .is .an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along lline -2-2 of Fig. 1, but with the locking means unlocked.

Fig. 3 is an enlargedsectional view taken along line 3-3 of Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged-sectional view taken along line 4--4 of Fig. l.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of a modified form of the invention taken at the same line as in Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional View of the lowerpartof one of the panes taken along line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

In detail, the window shown comprises sliding window panes I, 2, that are free from sash and are slidable in a rectangular frame having an upper horizontal frame member a `lower frame member 4, and end frame members 5, E.

As seen in Figs. 3, 4, the upper and klower frame members .may each `be made up of several elements or integral, but whatever structure is used, the upper frame member is formed to provide a downwardly opening groove l and the lowerframe member is formed to provide an upwardly opening groove 8. Grooves l, 8 are in opposedly opening relationship and the upper and lower edgesof panes I, 2 are in said grooves. End frame members 5, I are formed with opposedly opening grooves S (Fig. 4) `for receiving the end edges of the panes I, 2 when the latter are in closed position. Only vone of the end grooves is-shown, but they are identical in shape, each merely being positioned to receive the end edge of the pane `for which it is intended.

The upper groove 'I is relatively deep as compared with the lower -groove l8 and, vexcept for the extreme ends, the space between the upper edges of panes I, 2 and the bottom of groove i issuflicient to enable the panes to be elevated enough to swing their lower edges out of lower groove 8. However, stop elements I!) in the ends of groove I prevent the panes from being lifted .out vwhen the panes are in closed position. The ends of the panes are-adapted to pass below said elements I when said panes are in closed position. This structure enables easy installation of the panes as well as quick and veasy replacement. All that is necessary 'for making the replacement is to slide veither one or both of the panes Vtoward the center of the frame until they clear the elements I0, after which the panes may be lifted out of the groove 8 and out of the frame.

Upper groove I is relatively narrow with respect to lower'groove 8, and when the panes I, 2 are spaced apart at their lower edges and are respectively against the opposite sides of groove 8, their upper edges are substantially in contact with each other. This contact is merely a line contact at the adjacent corners of the upper edges of the panes, thus offering practically no resistance Ato .sliding relatively.

Along Ythe lower 'edgeof pane l2.and in groove -8 is a strip I2 of any suitable material, such as a composition material generally known as Masonite and which strip is preferably cemented to pane 2 so as to move therewith. The end of strip I2 that is adjacent the inner edge of pane 2, or the edge that is normally at about the center of the frame, terminates short of said inner edge, and is slanted as indicated at I3 (Fig. 2) to provide a slanted cam surface over which the adjacent edge of pane I is adapted to slide when pane I is moved horizontally out of the groove in end frame member 5. Y

When pane 2 covers the left half of the window frame opening, as seen in Fig. l, and when pane I covers the right hand half of said opening, the window is closed and the marginal portions I4, I of the panes I, 2 are in overlapping relation in the center of the frame opening and the lower edge `of pane I may then be moved so that its marginal portion I4 may tightly en gage the marginal portion I5 of pane 2, thus closing the space between the panes. The end I3 of strip I2 is spaced from the adjacent vertical end edge of pane 2 sufficient to permit this movement of the lower edge of pane I.

A strip le coplanar with pane 2 is in groove 8, but spaced from the adjacent vertical end edge of pane 2 a sucient distance to permit the pane 2 to be opened, if desired, thus enabling pane 2 to be lifted out of groove 8. This strip I6 is engaged by the lower end of pane I when the marginal portions I4, I5 are together.

pon sliding pane I to open position it will be seen that the pane will automatically be forced away from pane 2 by sliding over the cam surface I3 on strip I2, and said cam surface is spaced from the adjacent vertical edge i6 Cil (Fig. 2) of pane I a sumcient distance to permit the opposite edge of pane I to move out of the groove in the end frame member before the pane is moved away from pane 2. Thus groove Q in said end member may fairly closely receive the end edge of pane I thereby eliminating any rattling. To facilitate the sliding of pane I over the cam surface VI3 the marginal portion of pane I adjacent said edge I6' may be slightly slanted, as seen at I 'I in Fig. 2. v

Notches I8, I9 may be respectively formed in the inner sides of panes I, 2 adjacent end frame members 5, 6 (Fig. 1) for engagement by the fingers of an operator. The notches in these positions do not in any way interfere with a clear and undistorted vision through the panesv when they are in closed position.

The lower frame member 4- preferably carries the locking means for locking the panes I, 2 in closed position, and this means may comprise a metal leaf 2? hinged at 2l to a plate 22 that is secured to said lower frame member.. This leaf 2l) is adapted to swing toward and away from the panes in direction transversely of frame member 4, and in the position seen in full line in Figs. 2,. 3 it is in extended or unlocked position whereby the pane I may be freely slid to the left (Fig. 2) or pane 2 may be slid to the right.

The outer edge of leaf 20 is formed with a notch. 25 that provides a shoulder 26, and when the panes I, 2 are moved to closed position the leaf 2li may be swung toward their overlapping marginal portions I4, I5 so vthat the marginal portion of pane I will be received in notch 25 with the shoulder 25 extending across the edge I6 of pane I. will move the lower edge of pane I to tight en- This movement of leaf 20 also gagement with pane 2, and when leaf 20 is horizontal the marginal portions I4, I5 will be held together by leaf 20 and at the same time pane i' cannot be opened.

When leaf 20 is in the above described windowlocking position the portion 21 of said leaf will lie in front of a slight upward projection 38 on the end of strip I2 that is adjacent said leaf and slanted in a similar manner as strip I2. thus preventing the pane 2 from being moved to the right a sufficient distance to clear the element Ill in the upper groove.

By the locking means described above it is not necessary to cut or drill the panes I, 2, nor to attach any device to them. Instead, the panes are free of all attachments and are not weakened in any manner. The notches I8, I9 are the only ones in the panes.

As seen in Fig. 4, a drain 3l may be provided in the lower frame member for draining any possible moisture that might otherwise accumulate in groove 8.

Where the frame members are of wood the bottom of groove 8 is preferably of hardwood which provides a good bearing surface for the panes, although as previously stated, the frame members may be made of any desired material as long as grooves are provided for the panes. Also the panes may be of glass or any suitable transparent material.

In certain instances, it may be desirable to use a binding strip of channel form along one or more edges of the panes, such strip being indicated at 32 in Figs. 5, 6 along the lower edges of the panes.

This binding does not extend across the opposed overlapping edges of the panes so thereis no obstruction to moving the`panes together along said edges. It is to be understood that the binding strips do not constitute sash and where used are ordinarily only along the lower edges of the glass providing bearing strips on the glass. They do not obstruct light and preierably are not even visible when the panes are in the frames.

I claim:

l. A sashless window comprising a rectangular, centrally open, vertically disposed frame including horizontal top and bottom parallel frame members formed with oppositely opening grooves therein, a pair of rectangular, vertically disposed window panes having one of their edges supported in the groove in said lower member and having their opposite edges in the groove in said upper member, one pane of said pair being adapted to move in said grooves longitudinally of the latter from a closed position closing said opening in which one `of the vertical marginal portions thereof is in overlapping relation to one of the vertical marginal portions of the other pane at a point intermediate the ends of said frame to an open position in which said panes are in opposed side by side relation and a substantial portion of said opening is uncovered, the groove in said upper member being relatively narrow for holding the upper edges of said panes substantially together when said one pane'is moved to said open position, and the groove in said lower member being relatively wide to permit spacing of said panes at their loweredges during said movement of said one pane to and from said open position, means in the groove in said lower member for so spacing said lower edges of said panes during said movement.

2. A sashless window comprising a rectangular, centrally open, vertically disposed frame including horizontal top and bottom parallel frame members formed with opposedly opening grooves therein, a pair of rectangular, vertically disposed window panes having one of their edges supported in the groove in said lower member and having their opposite edges in the groove in said upper member, one pane of said pair being adapted to move in said grooves longitudinally of the latter from a `closed position closing said opening in which one of the vertical marginal portions thereof is in overlapping relation to one of the vertical marginal portions of the other pane at a point intermediate the ends of said ira-me to an open position in which said panes are in opposed side by side relation and a substantial portion of said opening is uncovered, the groove in said upper member being relatively narrow for holding the upper edges of said panes Substantially together when said one pane is moved to said open position, and the groove in said lower member being relatively Wide to permit spacing of said panes at their lower edges during said movement of said one pane to and from said open position, means in the groove in said lower member for so spacing said lower edges of said panes during said movement, the said means comprising a strip extending along the lower edge of the other pane of said pair and terminating adjacent said overlapping marginal portions whereby said marginal portions may be moved into engaging relationship when said panes are in closed position.

3. A sashless window comprising a rectangular, centrally open, vertically disposed frame including horizontal top and bottom parallel frame members formed with opposedly opening grooves therein, a pair of rectangular, vertically disposed window panes having one of their edges supported in the groove in said lower member and having their opposite edges in the groove in said upper member, one pane of said pair being adapted to move in said grooves longitudinally of the latter from a closed position closing said opening iin which one of the vertical marginal portions thereof is in overlapping relation to one of the vertical marginal portions of the other pane at a point intermediate the ends of said frame to an open position in which said panes are in opposed side by side relation and a substantial portion of said opening is uncovered, the groove in said upper member being relatively narrow for holding the upper edges of said panes substantially together when said one pane is moved to said open position, and the groove in said lower member being relatively wide to permit spacing of said panes at their lower edges during said movement of said one pane to and from said open position, means in the groove in said lower member for so spacing said lower edges of said panes during said movement, the bottom of the groove in said upper member being spaced from the edges of the panes adjacent thereto slightly greater than the depth of the groove in said lower member to enable lifting said panes out of the last mentioned groove for removal from said frame.

4. A sashless window comprising a rectangular, centrally open, vertically disposed frame including horizontal top and bottom parallel frame members formed with opposedly opening grooves therein, a pair of rectangular, vertically disposed window panes having one of their edges supported in the groove in said lower member and having their opposite edges in the groove in said upper member, one pane of said pair being adapted to move in said grooves longitudinally of the latter from a closed position closing said opening in which one of the vertical marginal portions thereof isv in overlapping relation to one of the vertical marginal portions of the other pane at a point intermediate the ends of said frame to an open position in which said panes are in opposed side by side relation and a substantial portion of said opening is uncovered, the groove in said upper member being relatively narrow for holding the upper edges of said panes substantially together when said one pane is moved to said open position, and the groove in said lower member being relatively wide to permit spacing of said panes at their lower edges during said movement of said one pane to and from said open position, means in the groove in said lower member for so spacing said lower edges of said panes during said movement, the other pane of said pair being also movable in said grooves longitudinally of the latter whereby said panes may be respectively moved away from the ends of said frame.

5. A sashless window comprising a rectangular, centrally open, vertically disposed frame including horizontal top and bottom parallel frame members formed with opposedly opening grooves therein, a pair of rectangular, vertically disposed window panes having one of their edges supported in the groove in said lower member and having their opposite edges in the groove in said upper member, one pane of said pair being adapted to move in said grooves longitudinally of the latter from a closed position closing said opening in which one of the vertical marginal portions thereof is in overlapping relation to one of the vertical marginal portions of the other pane at a point intermediate the ends of said frame to an open position in which said panes are in opposed side by side relation and a substantial portion of said opening is uncovered, the groove in said upper member being relatively narrow for holding the upper edges of said panes substantially together when said one pane is moved to said open position, and the groove in said lower member being relatively wide to permit spacing of said panes at their lower edges during said movement of said one pane to and from said open position, means in the groove in said lower member for so spacing said lower edges of said panes during said movement, said means comprising a strip extending along the lower edge of the other pane of said pair and secured to said other pane for movement therewith.

ERNEST PIERSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 889,261 Prouty June 2, 1908 2,126,111 Holderle et al. Aug. 9, 1938 2,283,009 Levan May 12, 1942 2,430,124 Johnson Nov. 4, 1947 

